What are some significant quotations from Chapter 12 ?

This chapter, which on the surface treats the enemy, Bonzo, is much more about the relation of Ender to his adult trainers. Support for this view comes from such quotations as this, from the conversation of Graff and Pace: “No adult will ever, ever step in to help him in any way,” and this advice showing Ender’s wisdom: “Use what they give you…If you’ve ever got an advantage over the enemy, use it.” Subtler is...

This chapter, which on the surface treats the enemy, Bonzo, is much more about the relation of Ender to his adult trainers. Support for this view comes from such quotations as this, from the conversation of Graff and Pace: “No adult will ever, ever step in to help him in any way,” and this advice showing Ender’s wisdom: “Use what they give you…If you’ve ever got an advantage over the enemy, use it.” Subtler is Ender’s seemingly innocuous statement, “Bonzo, your father would be proud of you.” This shows not only Ender’s leadership, but also his understanding of child psychology. The entire chapter demonstrates the progress of Ender in his Bildungsroman (from boy to man). Not only can he handle the battles in the “war room,” but also the real battles with the other trainees, and, most importantly, his increasingly problematic encounters with his adult trainers. Finally, his reaction at Bonzo’s injuries – “ I didn’t want to hurt him” and “Ice me. Send me home” reveals that he has not lost his “humanity” despite the rigors of his training, an important feature of the final episode in the story. Ender has always feared that he was “turning into” his brother, Peter, and his reaction here shows that this is not happening.